Sustainability
The key difference between a flower arrangement and a bundle of gathered flowers is its shape. Have you ever thought about what florists use to hold an arrangement together? (Hint: rubber bands, glues, plastic bags, zip ties, “floral foam,” even toxic sprays, and the list goes on…).
Bringing home a flower arrangement shouldn’t mean bringing home environmental/health hazards. That’s why Bridal Flowers Hawaii is committed to ecologically sustainable design. Here are some of our efforts!
Pictured Above: Compostable arrangement + detachable ring for easy, shape retaining transfer.
No compostable ring? No problem. Inside our vases: upcycled branches & hemp twine does the job holding together our arrangements.
Design:
Floral foam, a plastic and therefore petroleum based product, has been used widely by florists for decades. It’s been linked to water pollution and degradation of marine animal health. That’s why we do not use it.
We are currently switching our fabrics & ribbons away from synthetic blends.
Packaging:
We have recently introduced compostable vases.
We do not use cellophane or plastic based wrapping.
When used (i.e. flower bunches) water retention lining is plant-based and biodegradable.
Hemp twine is used as a tie, not a rubber band.
Waste:
We are aware of the supply/demand problems as well as the “fake recycling” plaguing the recycling industry and advocate for proper policy solutions to the issue.
Supply Chain:
We aim to support local floral farmers and their environmental sustainability practices.
We are currently working to improve the sustainability of our international supply chain.
Energy & Going “Carbon Negative”:
Although we do not travel often, we aim to, at minimum, offset our carbon footprint whenever we do.
We are currently looking into electrifying our vehicles.
Social Responsibility
We regularly impart our knowledge to, usually but not limited to immigrant, low income, & single-parent, members of the community to further their futures as florists.
We strive to pay our workers a living wage and pay beyond Hawaii’s $10/hr minimum.
We are researching our supply chain to engage with fair trade farmers.
Ok great, so what can I do?
Whichever florist you frequent, consider asking them to stop using floral foam for the sake of our environment.
If you find yourself with flower foam, DO NOT flush it down drains. It is a microplastic. It does not biodegrade. It has even been found in the digestive tract of marine microorganisms.
Ask yourself: by the time your flowers have reached its shelf life, what’s left? Plastic wrapping? Rubber bands? What value did that add to your purchase?
Whether a local or visitor, consider signing the Island of Hawaiʻi’s PONO PLEDGE & Island of Kauaʻi’s ALOHA PLEDGE to elevate your experience on the islands.